Ringo said he often went to bandmate and best pal George for help finishing songs

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Beatles icon Ringo Starr has admitted that, despite being a solo artist for 50 years, he can never finish writing a pop tune.

Starr, 79, revealed that he relied on Fab Four pal George Harrison to complete some of his biggest hits.

He also went to songwriter Harry Nilsson and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh for advice.

Around the 50th anniversary of his debut album Sentimental Journey, drummer Ringo said: “I used to always go to George to help me end the song.

"I didn’t have the talent to end a song. With Back Off Boogaloo, I went to George and he helped me finish it.”

Ringo admitted he can't finish songs - but had pals who could help (Image: PA)

He added: “I actually have one song that had like 40 verses, and I gave it to Harry Nilsson.

"He got it down to 11.”

Ringo’s biggest solo hits have been written by other musicians or been covers, and the majority of tracks he sung in the Beatles – such as Yellow Submarine and With a Little Help From My Friends – were written by Lennon and McCartney.

Ringo went to bandmate George for help (Image: Mirrorpix)

Ringo's been a solo artist for five decades (Image: REUTERS)

Harrison helped him finish Beatles track Octopus’s Garden.

Starr is celebrating 30 years of working with his All-Starr band, musicians from other bands who record before heading out on tour.

Ringo has admitted he still desperately misses John Lennon and his best friend George Harrison.

Ringo said Harry Nilsson lent a hand (Image: Mirrorpix)

Of John, he said: “I’m emotional now thinking of him 40 years ago.

"The four of us were great friends –with a couple of side issues. And it was far out.

"So anyway, I didn’t know how to act [when he died].”

The Beatles were the biggest band in the world (Image: Mirrorpix)

Recalling George’s last days, he told the Rolling Stone radio channel: “He’s laying there very ill – not long. And I’ve got to go to Boston, because my daughter’s having an operation.

“And so I said, ‘Well, you know, I’ve got to go, George,’ and he says, ‘Do you want me to come with you?’ He’s dying in a bit.

“'Do you want me to come with you?' How many people say great things like that to you, really give themselves?”